The Enneagram is a powerful personality system that reveals your core motivations, fears, and paths to growth. Unlike other systems, it focuses on why you do what you do.
What Makes the Enneagram Different
While other personality tests describe behavior, the Enneagram reveals underlying motivations. Two people might behave similarly but be driven by completely different fears and desires.
The 9 Enneagram Types
Type 1: The Reformer
Core Motivation: To be good and right
Core Fear: Being corrupt or defective
Strengths: Principled, purposeful, self-controlled
Type 2: The Helper
Core Motivation: To be loved and needed
Core Fear: Being unwanted
Strengths: Caring, generous, empathetic
Type 3: The Achiever
Core Motivation: To be valuable and successful
Core Fear: Being worthless
Strengths: Adaptable, driven, ambitious
Type 4: The Individualist
Core Motivation: To be unique and authentic
Core Fear: Having no identity
Strengths: Creative, expressive, introspective
Type 5: The Investigator
Core Motivation: To be capable and competent
Core Fear: Being useless or incompetent
Strengths: Perceptive, innovative, independent
Type 6: The Loyalist
Core Motivation: To have security and support
Core Fear: Being without guidance
Strengths: Committed, reliable, responsible
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Core Motivation: To be happy and satisfied
Core Fear: Being deprived or in pain
Strengths: Spontaneous, versatile, optimistic
Type 8: The Challenger
Core Motivation: To be self-reliant and strong
Core Fear: Being controlled or harmed
Strengths: Confident, decisive, protective
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Core Motivation: To have inner peace and harmony
Core Fear: Loss of connection
Strengths: Receptive, reassuring, agreeable
Wings and Growth
Your type is influenced by adjacent types (wings) and connected to two other types representing stress and growth patterns.
Using the Enneagram for Growth
- Recognize your automatic patterns
- Understand what triggers your type's fears
- Develop your type's growth direction
- Practice compassion for yourself and others
Conclusion
The Enneagram offers deep self-understanding and a roadmap for personal growth. It's not about putting yourself in a box but understanding the box you've already built.
